Educational Assistant

Educational assistants work for early intervention programs, schools, summer camps, child care centres and other learning organizations. They support students, teachers and other professionals. In a school setting, they may:

• be supervised by 1 or more teachers
• work with students who have special needs
• work with 1 or more students in the classroom and other settings
• supervise students in structured (classroom) and unstructured (hallways, recess, lunch hour) settings
• help prepare materials and do clerical tasks as required.

Duties vary from one position to another but, in general, they:

• support students to be included in the classroom and school
• implement lesson and behaviour plans for students as directed by the teacher
• support students to participate in learning activities
• help students with lessons and assignments
• demonstrate activities
• set up and take down displays, play spaces and work spaces
• report on student behaviour and progress
• help students with physical and personal care needs
• encourage positive student behaviours
• conduct oral tests or act as a scribe for students
• collect and prepare learning materials and use assistive technology to support learning
• help with school-wide special events and activities
• supervise children during lunch and recess breaks or field trips
• support students to build good relationships at school.

Educational assistants work indoors except when supervising students outdoors or on field trips. They may need to lift items weighing up to 10 kilograms. Sometimes, heavier lifting may be required (for example, to help students move in and out of wheelchairs).

Those who work in school systems usually have the same holidays as teachers. However, most work on a contract basis and are not paid during the summer months. Some school districts pay over the 12-month period and provide benefits for those in permanent positions. Work may include after-school hours to attend staff or committee meetings.

Private-sector schools may employ educational assistants for the full calendar year.

Educational assistants need to possess:

• flexibility, patience, sensitivity, tolerance, enthusiasm, creativity and imagination
• a positive attitude
• good health and physical fitness
• good speaking and writing skills
• keen observation skills
• an ability to deal with the stress of working with 1 or more students who are active and demanding
• an ability to interact with students and staff in a tactful, empathetic manner
• an ability to take direction and work alone or as a team member
• an ability to keep student information confidential
• a commitment to the development, progress and inclusion of students with special needs in education.

They should enjoy:

• working with people (especially students with physical, emotional or behavioural disabilities)
• working within clear guidelines and finding innovative ways to handle situations.

Creativity is essential as educational assistants may need to search for and use strategies that match a student's interests and learning styles.

Below-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.

Educational assistants may work full time or part time in:

• early intervention programs
• kindergarten to grade 12 public, separate and private schools
• after-school programs
• post-secondary schools 
• child care centres
• summer camps and day programs
• home-schooling environments
• parent link centres, native liaison or other social services in which educational programming is offered.

Advancement requires further education. 

Educational assistants are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 4413: Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants. In Alberta, 98% of people employed in this classification work in the Educational Services (PDF) industry.

The employment outlook (PDF) in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the Educational Services industry)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions)
• size of the occupation.

Over 15,700 Albertans are employed in the Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.5% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 236 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As educational assistants form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for educational assistants. 

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) website: www.teachers.ab.ca

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.